Russia's 'Wooden Domes' Cultural Centre Remains Unsold, Drains Regional Funds
An unfinished cultural centre on Russian Island remains unsold since 2023, despite repeated attempts to auction it. The so-called 'wooden domes' project has become a financial burden for the region, with authorities now planning another sale in 2026 for 414 million rubles ($4.5 million). The Primorsky Territory’s 2025 privatisation programme fell far short of expectations. Out of 13 planned assets, only two were sold, bringing in just 41.3 million rubles ($450,000) instead of the projected 528 million rubles ($5.8 million). Nearly all of this revenue came from the sale of a forestry office in Artyom, which went for 41 million rubles ($450,000).
A garage in Vladivostok was purchased by DPO LLC for 4.2 million rubles ($46,000) following a court decision. Another garage in Gvozdevo, Khasansky District, sold for its starting price of 254,000 rubles ($2,800) with no competing bids. The unfinished cultural centre, originally designed with 300 million rubles allocated for its construction, continues to drain resources. The regional administration still funds security for the abandoned site, adding to the financial strain. After failing to attract buyers in 2023, authorities will try again in 2026, setting the price at 414 million rubles ($4.5 million).
The failed sales highlight the challenges of privatising underused assets in the region. With only a fraction of expected revenue collected, officials will need to adjust strategies for future auctions. The cultural centre’s next attempt in 2026 will determine whether the project can finally find a buyer.
